Balder von Schirach was born of March 9, 1907 in present-day Berlin, which back then was the Kingdom of Prussia. When he got older, Hitler appointed him leader of Hitler Youth. He was later succeeded by Artur Axmann. He then was appointed governor of Reichsqau, Vienna, where he stayed until the end of the war.
Schirach was very open about his ant-Semitism. The interesting part about this is instead of being pressured by people like Alfred Rosendburg, his feelings were brought to the surface by a book called International Jew by Henry Ford.
While he was governor of Reichsgua, Vienna, he knew, approved, and participated in sending the Jews from Vienna to concentration camps. He also knew of Einsatzgrappen’s mobile van extermination of Jews in Poland.
After being found guilty of participation in common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of crimes against peace and for crimes against humanity, he got 20 years in prison.
Interview with Balder von Schrirach
Me: Thanks Tom. Ok folks, today we have are talking to someone from the Nuremburg Trial. This man was the leader of Hitler’s Youth and later the governor of Reichsgua, Vienna. Please welcome, Balder von Schirach!
Balder: hello Maggie and audience.
Me: so what did you do in Hitler’s Youth?
Balder: Well I taught kids that Nazis were good, and their thoughts on Jews were bad.
Me: Well, I hear that you also became governor of Reichsgua, Vienna.
What was it like to be governor to a country where the war was knocking on your door?
Balder: Well it was no picnic, I’ll tell you that. I had to take care of the people of Riechsgua, but also I had to deport the Jews from there as well.
Me: How could you think that it was right? Those people were innocent!
Balder: it was order at the time. I thought that Hitler was right about them, so my hatred for them grew. I sent many people to concentration camps.
Me: Did you realize what you were doing was wrong and inhumane?
Balder: No, not at the time. Like I said, I thought Hitler was right. My mistake cost many people their lives. I feel horrible about it. They didn’t deserve that…
Me: So you feel regret towards your participation in the Holocaust?
Balder: You have no idea ma’m. I have to deal with this guilt everyday.
Me: What is it like to see a Jewish family today? To see them walking down the street laughing?
Balder: I always wonder if I imprisoned part of their family. If I caused them pain like I did to so many others.
Me: Have you ever said “sorry”?
Balder: No. Me saying sorry that won’t bring back their families. Sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers are all gone, and I wish I could bring them back.
Me: What is the hardest part about remembering the Holocaust?
Balder: The hardest part is remembering that I caused pain for someone I had blind faith in.
Me: I’m sure that someday you will be forgiven. That someone will be merciful.
Balder: No, I don’t think you are right. There is no way that someone could forgive me
for the evil I caused.
Me: Well, that’s all we have for today. See you all tomorrow! Maggie out.
Balder von Schirach
Balder von Schirach was born of March 9, 1907 in present-day Berlin, which back then was the Kingdom of Prussia. When he got older, Hitler appointed him leader of Hitler Youth. He was later succeeded by Artur Axmann. He then was appointed governor of Reichsqau, Vienna, where he stayed until the end of the war.Schirach was very open about his ant-Semitism. The interesting part about this is instead of being pressured by people like Alfred Rosendburg, his feelings were brought to the surface by a book called International Jew by Henry Ford.
While he was governor of Reichsgua, Vienna, he knew, approved, and participated in sending the Jews from Vienna to concentration camps. He also knew of Einsatzgrappen’s mobile van extermination of Jews in Poland.
After being found guilty of participation in common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of crimes against peace and for crimes against humanity, he got 20 years in prison.
Interview with Balder von Schrirach
Me: Thanks Tom. Ok folks, today we have are talking to someone from the Nuremburg Trial. This man was the leader of Hitler’s Youth and later the governor of Reichsgua, Vienna. Please welcome, Balder von Schirach!
Balder: hello Maggie and audience.
Me: so what did you do in Hitler’s Youth?
Balder: Well I taught kids that Nazis were good, and their thoughts on Jews were bad.
Me: Well, I hear that you also became governor of Reichsgua, Vienna.
What was it like to be governor to a country where the war was knocking on your door?
Balder: Well it was no picnic, I’ll tell you that. I had to take care of the people of Riechsgua, but also I had to deport the Jews from there as well.
Me: How could you think that it was right? Those people were innocent!
Balder: it was order at the time. I thought that Hitler was right about them, so my hatred for them grew. I sent many people to concentration camps.
Me: Did you realize what you were doing was wrong and inhumane?
Balder: No, not at the time. Like I said, I thought Hitler was right. My mistake cost many people their lives. I feel horrible about it. They didn’t deserve that…
Me: So you feel regret towards your participation in the Holocaust?
Balder: You have no idea ma’m. I have to deal with this guilt everyday.
Me: What is it like to see a Jewish family today? To see them walking down the street laughing?
Balder: I always wonder if I imprisoned part of their family. If I caused them pain like I did to so many others.
Me: Have you ever said “sorry”?
Balder: No. Me saying sorry that won’t bring back their families. Sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers are all gone, and I wish I could bring them back.
Me: What is the hardest part about remembering the Holocaust?
Balder: The hardest part is remembering that I caused pain for someone I had blind faith in.
Me: I’m sure that someday you will be forgiven. That someone will be merciful.
Balder: No, I don’t think you are right. There is no way that someone could forgive me
for the evil I caused.
Me: Well, that’s all we have for today. See you all tomorrow! Maggie out.